Salvation Army Angel Tree program helps families in need

Marissa Ruiz was one of many gathered at the Salvation Army Hope Center registering for the Angel Tree Christmas gift program.

By Vincent T. Davis

Published 4:52 pm, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Christmas looks promising this year for Marissa Ruiz and her family, thanks to a stranger and a tree of angels.

Ruiz, 32, a single mother of four, doesn't know the name of the woman at a local Medicaid office who referred her to the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program, but in her mind, the clerk is her own angel.

Thanks to the woman's tip, Ruiz applied for a chance to make her children's Christmas a bit brighter.

"This is great," Ruiz said at the Salvation Army Hope Center at 515 W. Elmira St., where she went between her two part-time jobs. "This is one less stress because of good people. I thank God for the Angel Tree and the Salvation Hope Center."

Most Popular

Ruiz was one of hundreds at the center registering for the program that has helped scores of families for more than 120 years.

Registration for the program, which provides gifts for children from newborns to age 12, will continue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Oct. 15 at the center.

Those applying for the Salvation Army Christmas Assistance Program must bring identification for everyone living in their household and proof of income and expenses.

After verifying an applicant's needs, staff workers collect names, clothing sizes and gift requests that are written on "angel tags." On Nov. 17, workers will place the tags on Angel Trees at local shopping malls, where members of the community can choose one and buy the item on it for the child.

Tuesday afternoon, there were clusters of people sitting outside the center in the shade of a long canopy, waiting to apply. By 1:30 p.m., 100 residents had applied.

Angel Tree coordinator Dawn Trueblood said the economic downturn has had an adverse effect on some of their donors - some are now recipients.

"It's very hard for them," she said. "We try hard to treat them with dignity and respect and help them hold their head up."

She wants to get the word out to applicants not to bring children when they apply. Trueblood said it's awkward for processors when taking a request and takes some of the wonder of Christmas away.

Trueblood said parents would come to their warehouse and pick up the toys so "children can still believe in Santa and have a Christmas."

And, the holidays will be less hectic, Ruiz said, for her children, who range in age from 6 to 14 - especially for her two younger kids, who are hoping for bicycles on Christmas morning.

For more information about the Angel Tree program, call (210) 352-2000.